There were mornings when 2021 batch rank IPS officer Shubham T opened his books and felt paralysing heaviness. After four unsuccessful attempts, every page reminded him time was slipping away, and negative thoughts grew louder — doubts about his ability, fear of disappointing loved ones, and comparisons with peers who had moved on. Yet he stayed. 

“Every aspirant has days when they want to give up,” he says, adding that the prospect of meaningful public service and a lifelong career with job security kept him grounded. 

Having appeared for UPSC five times, he understands the pressure of a closely approaching final attempt year. 

Alongside counselling psychologist Anita Mohan’s guidance, his journey offers ways for aspirants and families to manage the ‘last attempt’ pressure while protecting their mental health. 

Before increasing study hours, Shubham began with an honest internal assessment. He identified weaknesses and conducted a cost–benefit analysis of subjects rather than following a generic preparation plan.

He prioritised areas with strong scoring potential:

Optional papers, which can fetch over 300 out of 500 marks and significantly influence rank outcomes

High-scoring subjects such as Ethics and Polity  

By focusing on strategic gains, he gave structure to his preparation. Once priorities were clear, his schedule became purposeful instead of overwhelming.

Anita Mohan reinforces this method, reminding aspirants to focus on controllable factors. Effort, consistency, and realistic planning reduce anxiety far more effectively than chasing perfection.

One of the most common stressors during a final attempt is balancing revision with the urge to keep learning new........

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